The Dying Trade

The Privateersman Mysteries, Volume 2

By: David Donachie

Narrated by: Peter Wickham

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Privateersman Harry Ludlow and his partner and younger brother, James, find that murder and intrigue take up more of their time than the hunt for fat trading vessels.

Arriving in the squalid, seething port of Genoa, they find it a tinderbox of tension, fed by the discovery of a hanged British sea captain and packs of English and French sailors at each other's throats.

At the behest of Admiral Hood, Harry is drawn into the midst of the lurid murder investigation, only to find himself mired in roiling layers of intrigue, avarice and danger - and the deadly charms of a beautiful woman.

©1993 David Donachie (P)2008 Soundings

Critic reviews

"Donachie sails on without a rival in sight" ( Times Literary Review, London)

A tale of Skullduggery

This is a series about the dying trade of privateerman. This is book two. I have not read book one.

Privateerman Harry Ludlow and his partner and brother James arrive in the squalid, seething part of Genoa. They find it a tinderbox of tension, fed by the discovery of a hanged British sea Captain. The story is set in late 1700 and early 1800 when the British and French were fighting during the Napoleonic War. Admiral Hood assigns Harry to investigate the death of the British officer.

Donachie tells about smuggling boys and young girls from Eastern Europe and Russia t to sell as slaves to the Ottoman Empire. There is some sea action toward the end of the book but mostly it is a murder investigation or murder mystery story. The book is well written and the characters are interesting. Peter Wickham narrated the book.

like a fine wine Donachie got better with time.

I started listening to this series because I enjoyed....for the most part, his john pierce series.
Having read, or listened to scores of british naval fiction, all I can say is, be prepared to be frustrated, angry, and left with the fiery desire to strangle the "want to be hero" of the story. He is stuborn, single minded, and seems to think the whole world should act like, or prescribe to the way of the english gent.
If you have any knowledge of this way of life, you'll spend your time cursing, and tearing your hair out at what a rich, pompus, idiot Harry Ludlow is.

Good story enjoyed the characters

Where does The Dying Trade rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have read many and it is an enjoyable read

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dying Trade?

When the end came with the showdown with the count

Which scene was your favorite?

I had many some funny so touching

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I like the books title even if it doesn't mean anything till near the end

Any additional comments?

Look forward to reading the next in the series

Kind of felt like I was dumped in the middle

I liked the other John Pierce books, so I picked this one up hoping it would be as entertainig. The narration was excellent, but I forced myself to listen to this story. I just did not care about the characters and after 1 hour I allowed myself to give up.